Should the Edmonton Oilers Sign Brad Boyes

Mar 7, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie

(30) makes a save in front of New York Islanders right wing

(24) during the third period of an NHL game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

I’m back…haven’t been around for a while. Since the last time I wrote something we’ve gone through the Draft and the start of the free agent period. Rookie GM Craig MacTavish has made a few moves, none that I would be willing to put the title of bold to though.

I like the free agent signings so far, I think that Boyd Gordon, and Andrew Ference will definitely help the team moving forward. Jason LaBarbera, a solid back up for Devan Dubnyk. Re-signing Ryan Jones was smart too, and he’s going to be motivated after last season’s lack luster performance.

There is all sorts of speculation out there regarding who the Oilers will try and bring in next. Most people are talking about adding that 2^nd line LW with size and some ability to grind it out and help the kids maintain puck possession. Bob Stauffer from Oilers Now has spent the week plugging Dustin Penner, I don’t see it happening. What about David Perron from St. Louis via trade? I like it but again I don’t see it happening. Jagr? Too Old. So what’s left on the free agent market if that’s the way MacT decided to go?

BRAD BOYES, yes Brad freakin Boyes.  I listen to all the radio shows, read the journo’s and the bloggers, and have seen very little mentioned of the 31 year old winger. Let’s have a look at what he might bring to the team.

First of all, he’s 31, that isn’t too bad and the Oilers can afford to get a little bit older. He’s Cheap, made $1 million last year with the New York Islanders. He’s listed at 6’ and 200lbs, and he can hit, last year finishing with 44 hits in 48 games, that’s no Cal Clutterbuck but it isn’t too shabby for a top 6 guy either. Boyes can contribute offensively too, scoring 10 goals and adding 25 assists last season with 12 of those assists coming on the power play. His career PPG average is 0.67 (about as advanced a stat as I will ever get), as far as I’m concerned he’s a player I would be looking at.

Chris Triantifilis from Eyes on Isles, an excellent New York Islanders Blog site had this to say;

"Boyes is not a first-line winger. He filled in on the Islanders’ top-line, but his consistency proved that he is not a threat on any given night. Instead of playing him next to John Tavares, give him a lesser role where he could still contribute on the score-sheet.During the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, he tallied 3 assists while playing alongside Keith Aucoin and Michael Grabner. Although that may not be the desired match-up, Boyes can still be productive as a middle-six forward. By doing so, he would also get an opportunity to escape being synonymous with the departed and aforementioned PAP. The Islanders would be better suited for it.If the New York Islanders can re-sign him, they should. Of course, the Islanders will not, and should not, give up Matt Moulson money to get it done ; otherwise, that would defeat the purpose of allowing PA Parenteau to walk in the first place."

You can read the full article here.  Although in a fan poll on that same article fans closely voted 52% to 48% to let him walk.

Other Stuff and Things

• Instead of signing another free agent for the wing, why not keep Ales Hemsky for the last year of his contract? He is owed 5 million this season, the Oilers have a ton of cap space and if he stays healthy he will have more value at the trade deadline they he commands now.

• Jason Gregor wrote an article on Oilersnation.com about putting an offer sheet in for winger Kyle Clifford of the Los Angeles Kings. Give it a read here, I think it’s an idea that should be looked at.

• Want to talk about bold, I got in a conversation on twitter today regarding RFA offer sheets and the St. Louis Blues Chris Stewart and Alex Pietrangelo. The conversation started with this tweet.

I won’t carry on with the conversation, but holy hell would that be a bold move, something we could talk about for years.

Until next time, Thanks for reading.